Druckansicht der Internetadresse:

Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health

Site Campus in Kulmbach

Print page

General FAQs

Programme-specific FAQs can be found directly on the pages of the study programmes



General Information

When do the study programmes start?Hide

From the year 2022 onwards, our programmes can be started exclusively in the winter semester (mid of October). The exact date will be in your admission letter.

The official start of the winter semester 2024/25 is 1 October 2024. Lectures will start on 14 October 2024.

Where will the study programmes be taught?Hide

The programmes will be taught in the newly founded Faculty of Life Sciences which is located in Kulmbach (around 25 km away from the main campus of the University of Bayreuth). Our study and research facilities on Campus in Kulmbach combine industrial charm with modern well-equipped teaching rooms and laboratories.

Kulmbach is home not only to several internationally operating food companies, but also to the Max Rubner Institute, the Bavarian Control Authority for Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine, the State Technical College for Food Technology, the Competence Centre for Nutrition, and the Kulmbach Clinical Centre. All these bodies are involved in various research projects and in the Faculty's teaching activities.

Are there any tuition fees?Hide

There are no tuition fees for our study programmes. However, in Germany, students at all higher education institutions must pay a semester contribution. This payment (at the University of Bayreuth: about 150 EUR per semester) has nothing to do with tuition fees; rather, it covers your contributions to student services and the student government. At the University of Bayreuth, it includes a "semester ticket" that allows you to use public transport in the region and entitles you to eat at reduced prices in the university canteen.

Further information on living costs can be found here.

Where can I find information about typical study contents and job perspectives?Hide

An introductory presentation of the study programmes and mini-lectures about typical study contents can be found here.

Application/ Enrolment - Bachelor's Programme

Is there an aptitude assessment?Hide

No, our bachelor's programme is not subject to limited admission.

How can I enrol?Hide

Enrolment is possible from 15 April until the start of the semester via CAMPUSonline. As support we have developed a handbook for the application via CAMPUSonline. After registration, the required documents can be uploaded in CAMPUSonline via the link Bewerbung / Application. 

Do I have to provide an APS certificate (Certificate of the Academic Evaluation Centre)?Hide

In general, students from India, Vietnam, and mainland China are required to apply for the APS certificate. If your application for the APS certificate is successful, you will receive the certificate with which you can apply for a German student visa and for German universities. The APS certificate is valid for an unlimited period of time. Please note that the APS certificate is required for the document check by uni-assist. You can find further information about the APS certificate here.

Do I have to request my VPD (preliminary review documentation) via uni-assist?Hide

Applicants from outside the EU who have obtained their degree abroad have to upload their application documents via uni-assist and undergo a fee-based special procedure. You can find relevant information about the document checking process here.

In the following cases, an application via uni-assist is not necessary:

  • You have German, EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship
  • You are already enrolled as a student at the University of Bayreuth
  • You have already obtained a bachelor’s degree at an accredited university in Germany
  • You have acquired your higher education entrance qualification in Germany, ie if you are considered a "Bildungsinländer" (eg German Abitur, Fachabitur).
Do I need a VPD if I am already studying in Germany?Hide

If you have acquired your higher education entrance qualification in a non-EU country, you must request a VPD via uni-assist. Since the admission criteria may vary from university to university, it is imperative that the higher education entrance qualification of each applicant be checked, regardless of whether he or she has already been enrolled at a German university.

When do I have to request my VPD via uni-assist?Hide

Please request your VPD (preliminary review documentation) as early as possible (at least 6-8 weeks before the application deadline for the desired degree programme at the University of Bayreuth). We can only accept your VPD if it has been issued for an application to the University of Bayreuth. You can have your documents reviewed by uni-assist any time of the year. If the portal for the desired semester has not yet been opened at uni-assist, simply select the current semester and any degree programme at the University of Bayreuth. It does not matter whether you apply for the summer or the winter semester at uni-assist. Please note, however, that the application deadline at the University of Bayreuth (15 June) must be met.

Your VPD will remain valid for two years as long as there have been no changes to your higher education entrance qualification (in the case of an application for Bachelor's degree programmes) or your Master's entrance qualification (in the case of an application for Master's degree programmes), or the admission requirements.

What should I do if I am waiting for my VPD from uni-assist?Hide

If you do not have a final VPD yet and are waiting for uni-assist to process it, you need to provide confirmation that you have applied for a VPD for the University of Bayreuth in due time and with all required documents.  Otherwise, your application will not be processed.

Can I apply for several programmes with a single VPD?Hide

You can apply for all programmes with a single VPD as long as it is not older than two years and has been issued for an application for the University of Bayreuth.

Application - Master's Programmes

How to write a letter of motivation (written presentation of course-specific competences)?Hide

State in max. two pages in English the skills and expertise that qualify you for the study programme according to the following criteria:

  • Verbal skills: showing that you are able to express yourself precisely and comprehensibly in the English language.
  • Interest: explain the connection between personal interest and the interdisciplinary character of the study programme.
  • Interdisciplinary study skills: study specific professional training or internships, periods abroad, awards such as scholarships etc.

There are no formal specifications such as font type or font size.

Do I have to apply online?Hide

Yes, please use the following link: https://campusonline.uni-bayreuth.de/ubto/webnav.ini. A submission of printed (certified) copies by mail is not necessary. As support we have developed a handbook for the application via CAMPUSonline.

Can I send my application by e-mail or by post?Hide

We are sorry, but we can only accept applications through our online portal which is open from March 1 to June 15 (for a start in the winter semester).

If I send an e-mail containing my CV, transcript of records, etc. could you please tell me my chances in getting admitted?Hide

We are sorry, but we cannot do any pre-evaluation. Please check out carefully the entry requirements listed on our webpage as well as the assessment procedure. If you think, you fulfil all requirements and would like to be admitted to our programme, please submit all required documents exclusively through our online portal. E-mail attachments cannot be considered for evaluation.

Do I have to provide an APS certificate (Certificate of the Academic Evaluation Centre)?Hide

In general, students from India, Vietnam, and mainland China are required to apply for the APS certificate. If your application for the APS certificate is successful, you will receive the certificate with which you can apply for a German student visa and for German universities. The APS certificate is valid for an unlimited period of time. Please note that the APS certificate is required for the document check by uni-assist. You can find further information about the APS certificate here.

Do I have to request my VPD (preliminary review documentation)  via uni-assist?Hide

Applicants from outside the EU who have obtained their Bachelor degree abroad have to upload their application documents via uni-assist and undergo a fee-based special procedure.

You can find relevant information about the document checking process here.

In the following cases, an application via uni-assist is not necessary:

  • You have German, EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship
  • You are already enrolled as a student at the University of Bayreuth
  • You have already obtained your entrance qualification for master's programmes (usually your first degree) at an accredited university in Germany.
Do I need a VPD if I am already studying in Germany?Hide

If you have acquired your higher education entrance qualification in a non-EU country, you must request a VPD via uni-assist. Since the admission criteria may vary from university to university, it is imperative that the higher education entrance qualification of each applicant be checked, regardless of whether he or she has already been enrolled at a German university.

Exception: A VDP is not required if you already have obtained your entrance qualification for master’s programmes (usually your first degree) at an accredited university in Germany.

When do I have to request my VPD via uni-assist?Hide

Please request your VPD (preliminary review documentation) as early as possible (at least 6-8 weeks before the application deadline for the desired degree programme at the University of Bayreuth). We can only accept your VPD if it has been issued for an application to the University of Bayreuth. You can have your documents reviewed by uni-assist any time of the year. If the portal for the desired semester has not yet been opened at uni-assist, simply select the current semester. It does not matter whether you apply for the summer or the winter semester at uni-assist. Please note, however, that the application deadline at the University of Bayreuth (15 June) must be met.

Your VPD will remain valid for two years as long as there have been no changes to your higher education entrance qualification (in the case of an application for Bachelor's degree programmes) or your Master's entrance qualification (in the case of an application for Master's degree programmes), or the admission requirements.

What should I do if I am waiting for my VPD from uni-assist?Hide

If you do not have a final VPD yet and are waiting for uni-assist to process it, you need to provide confirmation that you have applied for a VPD for the University of Bayreuth in due time and with all required documents. Otherwise, your application will not be processed.

Can I apply for several programmes with a single VPD?Hide

You can apply for all programmes with a single VPD as long as it is not older than two years and has been issued for an application for the University of Bayreuth.

Could you help me with my application in CAMPUSonline?Hide

A brief application guide can be found here. For all other technical problems (unusual error messages, page cannot be loaded, etc.) with CAMPUSonline, please contact the CM Help Team.

If you have specific questions regarding your application, please use the Team Incoming Degree - FAQ and contact form.

I cannot submit all required documents in time. Can I nevertheless apply for one of your programmes?Hide

All documents for the Master's Programmes need to be submitted before the application deadline (June 15). In case you have not received your Bachelor certificate yet, you can submit an official transcript of records (including subjects and grades) showing that you have completed at least 135 ECTS credits. The Bachelor certificate can be uploaded latest by July 15.

May I apply for more than one master's programme offered by your Faculty?Hide

Yes, it is possible to apply for more than one master's programme. However, you must write a separate letter of motivation for each study programme in which you explain why you are applying for the respective programme.

Is there an aptitude assessment?Hide

Yes, our master's programmes are subject to limited admission.

What is the aptitude assessment process?Hide

After we receive your application, two members of our selection committee will rate it in a 2-step aptitude assessment process (step 1, evaluation of submitted application documents; step 2, interview).

You can find more information about the application process by clicking on the respective programme links: Global Food, Nutrition and Health | Food, Quality and Safety | Food System Sciences.

How will the interview take place?Hide

You do not have to travel to Kulmbach to participate in the interview. Instead, we will arrange an online interview (preferred) or a telephone interview conducted in English. Please note that travel expenses such as travel costs, accommodation or food, which arise because of participation in the selection process, cannot be refunded.

When will I hear if I have been invited for interview?Hide

We try to assess as many interviews as possible before the application deadline. Please understand that due to the large number of applications the process might take a while. We therefore ask you to refrain from asking about the status of your application. If you have specific questions regarding your application, please use the Team Incoming Degree - FAQ and contact form.

If you are invited for interview, you will be informed by email.

I have already completed a master's degree. Should I submit the master's certificate as well?Hide

It is not mandatory to submit the master's certificate. However, we strongly recommend enclosing it, as it represents a valuable piece of information for our selection committee and might prove the information about your master's study in your CV.

Information for Newly Admitted Students

I have recently been admitted. What is the next step?Hide

Please open your CAMPUSonline account and accept the study place. After accepting the study place, you will find in the self-service portal the application for enrolment and a list of documents that need to be submitted for enrolment. Please note that students must be registered for compulsory insurance in the German public health insurance system. You can find more information about compulsory insurance here.

If you have specific questions regarding your admission, please use the Team Incoming Degree - FAQ and contact form.

What is the enrolment deadline at the University of Bayreuth?Hide

We recommend that you enrol by the start of the semester on 1 October 2024 to enable us to send you all the information you will need for a successful start to your studies (e.g. preliminary courses, information events) and to provide you with access to our campus management system in good time.

In the Winter semester 2024/25 lectures are held from 14 October 2024 until 7 February 2025. In exceptional cases, the University of Bayreuth may allow you to enrol up to 11 November 2024. However, late enrolment may result in various disadvantages, such as a limited selection of courses and seminars and possible delays in the organization of your studies.

Can I send my enrolment documents by e-mail?Hide

We are sorry, but this is not possible. Please send all required documents by post to the address provided on the enrolment application form or drop your documents in the mailbox at the office door of the Student Administration Office (room 1.09, ZUV building, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth). Detailed information on the enrolment process can be found on the website of the student administration office.

Where can I find information about the visa application procedure?Hide

Click here to find detailed information about visa requirements for your country and tips on applying for a visa.

Is it possible to defer the start of studies?Hide

Yes, it is possible. If you decide to take up the offered place at a later time point, you do not need to take any further action at this stage. Once the application portal for your preferred study start opens, you only have to upload your admission letter again in CampusOnline at the section:

“Admission from the University of Bayreuth for this course of study from a previous semester (and possibly a letter of requirements)”.

You can simply skip all other requested documents if they have not changed. You will then receive your “new” admission letter as soon as possible without a further aptitude test.

Please refer to the respective study programme website for information on the exact application period.

Where do I get my student ID card (UBT-Campus-Card)?Hide

Your campus card (including the semester ticket for public transport) will be sent to you by post. Please make sure that your actual address is entered correctly in your CAMPUSonline account and that your full name can be found on your letterbox. Further information on use and data security can be found on the website of the Student Administration Office.

Where can I find accommodation?Hide

Since all lectures will take place at our faculty in Kulmbach, we highly recommend to look for accommodation in Kulmbach. Further information can be found here.

How much are the living costs in Kulmbach?Hide

Prices for accommodation, food and leisure activities are moderate compared to other German student cities. Nevertheless, prospective students should consider early on how they will finance their studies. Click here to find an initial overview of the costs that students in Kulmbach will definitely have to pay.

Where can I find information about scholarships?Hide

Further information about scholarships can be found here.


Webmaster: Dr. Pia Kaul

Facebook Twitter Youtube-Kanal Instagram LinkedIn UBT-A Go to: Contact